Studies in health technology and informatics
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2001
Ranking of information in the computerized problem-oriented patient record.
We propose a framework for a problem-oriented patient record for general practice 1 and defend that the problem-oriented medical record represents an intuitive way to organize the patient record. By adding a layer of knowledge to the electronic patient record the record system is able to better utilize the information stored in the record. If a record system is process aware, having knowledge of work processes and is able to distinguish between different contexts in use, the system can provide relevant and useful information during the handling of patients' medical problems. ⋯ Traces give valuable indications of what is going on during the process of patient care. Decision frames represents relevant contexts based on the information in the record. Both decision frames and traces provide an environment in which more optimal medical decisions can be made.
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In today's ICUs clinicians routinely integrate huge numbers of discrete data points to arrive at a coherent picture of their patients' status. Often the clinician must obtain those data elements from many devices, which makes the problem more difficult. Because presenting data visually amplifies cognition by capitalizing on well-known human perceptual capabilities, it is not surprising that a growing body of research is directed at the effective presentation of visual information in clinical displays. ⋯ We recently used CWA to analyze the information needs for interactive graphical displays that will integrate and represent data in structures that help clinicians visualize a patient's physiological status. We found that the analysis was an effective way to identify information needs at multiple levels. Based on our experience, CWA is a generic methodology that is highly applicable to medical informatics.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2001
Implementation and evaluation of a distance learning introductory course in medical informatics.
There is a growing interest in and need for continuing education in medical informatics delivered by distance learning. ⋯ The learning technologies used in this course were implemented successfully and a Graduate Certificate Program is planned to further meet educational needs in medical informatics.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2001
3D visualization and stereographic techniques for medical research and education.
While computers have been able to work with true 3D models for a long time, the same does not apply to the users in common. Over the years, a number of 3D visualization techniques have been developed to enable a scientist or a student, to see not only a flat representation of an object, but also an approximation of its Z-axis. In addition to the traditional flat image representation of a 3D object, at least four established methodologies exist: Stereo pairs. ⋯ While the system requires very expensive hardware, it solves some of the more important problems mentioned above, such as the capacity to use higher frame rates and the ability to display images to a large audience. Mednet has instigated a research project which uses reconstructed models from the central nervous system (human brain and basal ganglia, cortex, dendrites and dendritic spines) and peripheral nervous system (nodes of Ranvier and axoplasmic areas). The aim is to modify the models to fit the different visualization techniques mentioned above and compare a group of users perceived degree of 3D for each technique.
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The paper examines the issues of security and safety in Health Information Systems and focuses the need for the development of appropriate Guidelines for the effective use of IEC 61508 standard.